U.S. patent number 11,292,105 [Application Number 15/170,456] was granted by the patent office on 2022-04-05 for multipurpose tool having accessible tool members.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey B. Castro, Adam Lazenby, Benjamin C. Rivera.
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United States Patent |
11,292,105 |
Lazenby , et al. |
April 5, 2022 |
Multipurpose tool having accessible tool members
Abstract
A multipurpose tool and components thereof are provided in order
to facilitate utilization of the multipurpose tool by users in a
wide variety of applications. A multipurpose tool may include first
and second handles configured for relative movement between a
closed position and an open position. The multipurpose tool may
also include a plurality of tool members. One or more of the
plurality of tool members are carried by and foldable into the
first handle. Similarly, one or more of the plurality of tool
members are carried by and foldable into the second handle. The
multipurpose tool may further include a first magnet carried by the
first handle. The first magnet is configured to exert a magnetic
force that biases the first and second handles into the closed
position.
Inventors: |
Lazenby; Adam (Lake Oswego,
OR), Rivera; Benjamin C. (Lake Oswego, OR), Castro;
Jeffrey B. (Portland, OR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP, INC.
(Portland, OR)
|
Family
ID: |
58992663 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/170,456 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170348830 A1 |
Dec 7, 2017 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25F
1/04 (20130101); B26B 17/00 (20130101); B25B
7/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25B
7/22 (20060101); B25F 1/04 (20060101); B26B
17/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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Other References
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2017203480, dated Feb. 2, 2018, 9 pages. cited by applicant .
Notice of Acceptance from South African Patent No. 2017/03750,
dated Feb. 6, 2018, 1 page. cited by applicant .
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dated Apr. 20, 2018, 13 pages. cited by applicant .
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17172956.9 dated Jan. 22, 2018, 11 pages. cited by applicant .
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27, 2018, 5 pages. cited by applicant .
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1, 2019, 5 pages. cited by applicant .
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21, 2019. cited by applicant .
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6, 2020. cited by applicant .
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dated Nov. 7, 2019, 9 pages. cited by applicant .
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25, 2019. cited by applicant .
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27, 2020. cited by applicant .
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11, 2020. cited by applicant .
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dated Feb. 19, 2020. cited by applicant .
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8, 2020. cited by applicant .
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31, 2020. cited by applicant .
Office Action for Taiwan Application No. 108115673 dated Dec. 9,
2019. cited by applicant .
4.sup.th Office Action for China Application No. 2017104049491
dated Sep. 6, 2021 with English translation (19 pages). cited by
applicant .
Office Action for Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-072803 dated
Jun. 17, 2021 with English translation (3 pages). cited by
applicant .
3.sup.rd Office Action for China Application No. 2017104049491
dated May 31, 2021 with English translation (9 pages). cited by
applicant .
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dated Nov. 18, 2019. cited by applicant .
Office Action for Australian Application No. 2019200615 dated Mar.
25, 2020. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Crandall; Joel D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A multipurpose tool comprising: a handle defining a channel,
wherein the handle comprises an axle; and a plurality of tool
members rotatably mounted upon the axle so as to be foldable into
the channel defined by the handle, wherein at least some of the
plurality of tool members define a notch extending in a lateral
direction extending between the opposed sidewalls of the handle,
wherein the notch is exposed in an instance in which the tool
members are folded into the channel and is configured to be engaged
by a user in order to at least partially rotatably open one or more
of the tool members relative to the handle, wherein the plurality
of tool members comprise at least one first tool member and a
plurality of second tool members, wherein the at least one first
tool member is longer than the plurality of second tool members,
wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a spacer positioned
between the at least one first tool member and the plurality of
second tool members with the spacer extending in a longitudinal
direction through a portion of the channel without extending beyond
the plurality of second tool members in the longitudinal direction
such that the spacer is shorter in the longitudinal direction than
the plurality of second tool members, wherein the plurality of
second tool members are positioned in an adjacent relationship
without a spacer therebetween, and wherein the spacer is mounted
upon the axle and comprises a finger that extends into the channel
and is engaged so as to prevent rotation of the spacer.
2. A multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein the plurality
of tool members comprise first and second tool members, each of
which includes a cam member, wherein the multipurpose tool further
comprises a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of
each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the
first and second tool members relative to the first handle.
3. A multipurpose tool according to claim 2 wherein the cam member
of the first tool member is different than the cam member of the
second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam
member of the first tool member during opening of the first tool
member upon rotation of the first tool member through a first
incidence angle relative to the first handle and the cam follower
engages the cam member of the second tool member during opening of
the second tool member following rotation of the second tool member
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, relative to the first handle.
4. A multipurpose tool according to claim 3 wherein the cam
follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon
opening of the first tool member and the cam follower does not
engage the cam member of the second tool member upon opening of the
second tool member but only engages the cam member of the second
tool member during opening of the second tool member after the
second tool member has rotated through the second incidence angle,
wherein the second incidence angle is greater than zero, and
wherein the second tool member defines the notch.
5. A multipurpose tool according to claim 1 further comprising a
magnet carried by the handle, wherein the magnet is positioned
relative to the tool members such that the magnet establishes a
magnetic force in a path that extends through one or more of the
tool members so as to bias the one or more tool members into a
closed position in which the one or more tool members are folded
into the channel.
6. A multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein the spacer
comprises a non-rotating spacer positioned between the first and
second tool members.
7. A multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein at least some
of the tool members also define a plurality of grooves extending in
the lateral direction between the opposed sidewalls of the handle,
and wherein the plurality of grooves are exposed in an instance in
which the tool members are folded into the channel.
8. A multipurpose tool comprising: first and second handles
configured for relative movement between a closed position and an
open position, wherein each handle extends from a proximal end to a
longitudinally opposed distal end, wherein each handle pivots about
the proximal end to transition between the closed and open
positions, and wherein the distal ends of the first and second
handles separate from one another as the first and second handles
transition from the closed position to the open position; a
plurality of tool members, wherein one or more of the plurality of
tool members are carried by and foldable into the first handle and
one or more of the plurality of tool members are carried by and
foldable into the second handle; a first magnet carried by the
first handle, wherein the first magnet is configured to exert a
magnetic force that biases the first and second handles into the
closed position; and a second magnet carried by the second handle
and aligned with the first magnet in an instance in which the first
and second handles are in the closed position, wherein the first
and second magnets are spaced apart from one another while the
first and second handles are in the closed position such that the
magnetic force is directed in a flux path that extends through at
least one of the first handle, the second handle or one or more of
the tool members, and wherein the first and second magnets are
spaced between 5% and 25% of a length of the first and second
handles, as measured between the proximal and distal ends of the
first and second handles, from the distal ends of the first and
second handles so as to be closer to the distal ends of the first
and second handles than the proximal ends of the first and second
handles.
9. A multipurpose tool according to claim 8 wherein the first
magnet is positioned relative to the tool members such that the
first magnet establishes the magnetic force in a path that extends
through one or more of the tool members so as to bias the one or
more tool members into a closed position in which the one or more
tool members are folded into a respective handle.
10. A multipurpose tool according to claim 8 wherein the first
handle comprises an axle upon which a plurality of the tool members
are rotatably mounted, wherein the plurality of tool members
comprise first and second tool members, each of which includes a
cam member, wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a cam
follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first
and second tool members during rotation of the first and second
tool members relative to the first handle.
11. A multipurpose tool according to claim 10 wherein the cam
member of the first tool member is different than the cam member of
the second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam
member of the first tool member during opening of the first tool
member upon rotation of the first tool member through a first
incidence angle relative to the first handle and the cam follower
engages the cam member of the second tool member during opening of
the second tool member following rotation of the second tool member
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, relative to the first handle.
12. A multipurpose tool according to claim 11 wherein the cam
follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon
opening of the first tool member and the cam follower does not
engage the cam member of the second tool member upon opening of the
second tool member but only engages the cam member of the second
tool member during opening of the second tool member after the
second tool member has rotated through the second incidence angle,
wherein the second incidence angle is greater than zero.
13. A multipurpose tool according to claim 8 further comprising:
first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively, wherein each jaw comprises a wall member;
and first and second spring members configured to engage the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, wherein the
wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the
first and second spring members engage thicker portions of the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first
and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open
position.
14. A multipurpose tool according to claim 13 wherein the first and
second handles each comprise opposed sidewalls, and wherein the
first and second spring members are configured to provide a spring
force to the wall members of the first and second jaws,
respectively, that is directed through one of the sidewalls.
15. A multipurpose tool according to claim 8 wherein a respective
tool member defines a slot that includes an enlarged portion,
wherein the respective tool member is configured to alternately
receive a knife blade within the slot or a screwdriver within the
enlarged portion of the slot.
16. A multipurpose tool according to claim 8 further comprising
first and second carriers in which the first and second magnets,
respectively, are disposed, wherein the first and second carriers
are mounted within the first and second handles, respectively by a
mechanical attachment to a respective handle or an interference fit
within the respective handle.
17. A multipurpose tool comprising: first and second handles
configured for relative movement between a closed position and an
open position, wherein each handle extends from a proximal end to a
longitudinally opposed distal end, wherein each handle pivots about
the proximal end to transition between the closed and open
positions, and wherein the distal ends of the first and second
handles separate from one another as the first and second handles
transition from the closed position to the open position; a
plurality of tool members, wherein one or more of the plurality of
tool members are carried by and foldable into the first handle and
one or more of the plurality of tool members are carried by and
foldable into the second handle; and a first magnet carried by the
first handle and positioned relative to the tool members such that
the first magnet establishes a magnetic force in a path that
extends through at least one tool member carried by the first
handle so as to bias the at least one tool member toward a closed
position in which the at least one tool member is folded into the
first handle, wherein the first magnet is spaced between 5% and 25%
of a length of the first handle, as measured between the proximal
and distal ends of the first handle, from the distal end of the
first handle so as to be closer to the distal end of the first
handle than the proximal end of the first handle, and wherein the
first magnet is disposed within the first handle such that the
first magnet remains spaced from the second handle in an instance
in which the first and second handles are in the closed
position.
18. A multipurpose tool according to claim 17 further comprising a
second magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the
first magnet in an instance in which the first and second handles
are in the closed position, wherein the first and second magnets
are configured to bias the first and second handles into the closed
position.
19. A multipurpose tool according to claim 17 wherein the first
handle comprises an axle upon which a plurality of the tool members
are rotatably mounted, wherein the plurality of tool members
comprise first and second tool members, each of which includes a
cam member, wherein the multipurpose tool further comprises a cam
follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first
and second tool members during rotation of the first and second
tool members relative to the first handle.
20. A multipurpose tool according to claim 19 wherein the cam
member of the first tool member is different than the cam member of
the second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam
member of the first tool member during opening of the first tool
member upon rotation of the first tool member through a first
incidence angle relative to the first handle and the cam follower
engages the cam member of the second tool member during opening of
the second tool member following rotation of the second tool member
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, relative to the first handle.
21. A multipurpose tool according to claim 20 wherein the cam
follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon
opening of the first tool member and the cam follower does not
engage the cam member of the second tool member upon opening of the
second tool member but only engages the cam member of the second
tool member during opening of the second tool member after the
second tool member has rotated through the second incidence angle,
wherein the second incidence angle is greater than zero.
22. A multipurpose tool according to claim 17 further comprising:
first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively, wherein each jaw comprises a wall member;
and first and second spring members configured to engage the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, wherein the
wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the
first and second spring members engage thicker portions of the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first
and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open
position.
23. A multipurpose tool according to claim 22 wherein the first and
second handles each comprise opposed sidewalls, and wherein the
first and second spring members are configured to provide a spring
force to the wall members of the first and second jaws,
respectively, that is directed through one of the sidewalls.
24. A multipurpose tool according to claim 17 further comprising a
first carrier in which the first magnet is disposed, wherein the
first carrier is mounted within the first handle by a mechanical
attachment to the first handle or an interference fit within the
first handle.
25. A multipurpose tool comprising: first and second handles
configured for relative movement between a closed position and an
open position; a plurality of tool members carried by and foldable
into the first handle, wherein the first handle comprises an axle
upon which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted,
wherein the plurality of tool members comprise first and second
tool members, each of which includes a cam member; and a cam
follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first
and second tool members during rotation of the first and second
tool members relative to the first handle, wherein the cam member
of the first tool member is different than the cam member of the
second tool member such that the cam follower is configured to
initially engage the cam member of the first tool member while the
first tool member is in a closed position and is also configured to
remain continuously engaged with the cam member of the first tool
member throughout the opening of the first tool member, wherein the
cam follower is configured to be spaced from and not to engage the
second tool member (i) while the plurality of tool members
including the second tool member are in the closed position and
(ii) while the second tool member is rotated through an incidence
angle from the closed position and the cam follower is further
configured to initially engage and thereafter ride upon the cam
member of the second tool member as the second tool member is
further rotated beyond the incidence angle to the open
position.
26. A multipurpose tool according to claim 25 further comprising
first and second magnets carried by the first and second handles,
respectively, wherein the first and second magnets are aligned in
an instance in which the first and second handles are in the closed
position, and wherein the first and second magnets are configured
to bias the first and second handles into the closed position.
27. A multipurpose tool according to claim 25 further comprising:
first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively, wherein each jaw comprises a wall member;
and first and second spring members configured to engage the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, wherein the
wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the
first and second spring members engage thicker portions of the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first
and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open
position.
28. A multipurpose tool according to claim 25 wherein the first
tool member is longer than the second tool member.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
An example embodiment relates generally to a multipurpose tool and,
more particularly, to a multipurpose tool having features to
facilitate usage of the multipurpose tool by users in a variety of
different applications.
BACKGROUND
Multipurpose tools are widely popular for their utility in a number
of different applications. A multipurpose tool includes a number of
tool members carried by a common frame. A multipurpose tool may
include different combinations of tool members depending upon its
intended application. For example, multipurpose tools that are
designed for a more universal or generic application can include
pliers, a wire cutter, a bit driver, one or more knife blades, a
saw blade or the like. Other multipurpose tools are designed to
service more specific applications or niche markets and
correspondingly include tool members that are useful for the
intended application. For example, multipurpose tools may be
specifically designed for automobile repair, hunting, fishing or
other outdoor applications, gardening, snow skiing, snowboarding,
bicycling or other recreational activities as well as military and
emergency medical applications, to name a few.
One reason for the popularity of multipurpose tools is the
capability provided by a multipurpose tool to provide a wide range
of functionality with a single tool, thereby reducing the need to
carry a number of different tools to perform the same functions.
For example, a single multipurpose tool may be carried instead of a
pair of pliers, one or more screwdrivers, a knife and a bottle
opener. As such, the burden placed upon the user is reduced since
the user need only carry a single multipurpose tool.
As multipurpose tools are frequently carried by users in the field,
it is desirable for the multipurpose tools to be relatively small
and lightweight, while remaining rugged so as resist damage. In
order to reduce the overall size of a multipurpose tool, some
multipurpose tools have been designed to be foldable. In this
regard, foldable multipurpose tools are designed to be alternately
folded into a closed position and an open position. Generally, the
closed position is more compact with the multipurpose tool
frequently being carried in the closed position. Conversely, while
the open position is generally less compact than the closed
position, the open position generally allows the deployment of one
or more of the tool members that are stowed and relatively
inaccessible when the multipurpose tool is in the closed
position.
For example, a multipurpose tool may include pliers having a pair
of jaws connected to respective handles. In the open position, the
pliers are deployed and are capable of being actuated by moving the
handles toward and away from one another. In the closed position,
the handles are folded about the pliers such that the pliers are no
longer functional and are instead, positioned within the handles.
In the closed position, however, the multipurpose tool is more
compact with the form factor generally defined by the proximal
relationship with the handles.
In addition to the pliers that are deployed as the handles are
transitioned from the closed position to the open position, the
handles of the multipurpose tool also generally house one or more
tool members. By storing the tool members within the handles when
the tool members are not in use, the form factor of the
multipurpose tool may be relatively small in comparison to the
number of tool members carried by the multipurpose tool. Thus, the
multipurpose tool may have substantial utility and versatility,
albeit in a relatively small tool. To access a tool member that is
stored within a handle, a user may engage the tool member, such as
with their fingernail, and may unfold the tool member such that the
tool member is operational.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Notwithstanding the versatility and functionality provided by a
multipurpose tool, a multipurpose tool and components thereof are
provided in accordance with an example embodiment in order to
facilitate utilization of the multipurpose tool by users in a wide
variety of applications. For example, the multipurpose tool of an
example embodiment is configured to facilitate the transition of
the multipurpose tool from a closed position to an open position
such that a user can more readily open the tool with one hand and
in a manner that is consistent and repeatable over the lifetime of
the tool. Further, the multipurpose tool of an example embodiment
is configured to improve upon the manner in which individual tool
members are folded out of the handle and locked in an operational
position, thereby improving the accessibility and utilization of
the tool members. Additionally, the multipurpose tool of an example
embodiment has a handle that is configured to permit the length of
at least some of the tool members to be increased relative to the
length of the handle, thereby further improving the performance
offered by the tool members without an increase in the form factor
of the multipurpose tool. As these examples demonstrate, the
multipurpose tool of an example embodiment is configured to offer
both improved performance characteristics, as well as improved
versatility and ruggedness.
In an example embodiment, a multipurpose tool is provided that
includes a handle defining a channel and a plurality of tool
members carried by and foldable into the channel defined by the
handle. The plurality of tool members define a notch extending in a
lateral direction extending between the opposed sidewalls of the
handle. The notch is exposed in an instance in which the tool
members are folded into the channel. As such, the notch is
configured to be engaged by a user in order to at least partially
rotatably open one or more of the tool members relative to the
handle.
In an embodiment in which the plurality of tool members include
first and second tool members, each tool member may include a cam
member. In this embodiment, the multipurpose tool further includes
a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the
first and second tool members during rotation of the first and
second tool members relative to the first handle. The cam member of
the first tool member may be different than the cam member of the
second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam
member of the first tool member during opening of the first tool
member upon rotation of the first tool member through a first
incidence angle relative to the first handle and the cam follower
engages the cam member of the second tool member during opening of
the second tool member following rotation of the second tool member
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, relative to the first handle. In this regard, the
cam follower may engage the cam member of the first tool member
immediately upon opening of the first tool member and the cam
follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member
immediately upon opening of the second tool member but only engages
the cam member of the second tool member during opening of the
second tool member after the second tool member has rotated through
the second incidence angle. The second incidence angle may be
greater than zero. The second tool member defines the notch.
The multipurpose tool of an example embodiment also includes a
magnet carried by the handle. The magnet of this embodiment is
positioned relative to the tool members such that the magnet
establishes a magnetic force in a path that extends through one or
more of the tool members so as to bias the one or more tool members
into a closed position in which the one or more tool members are
folded into the channel. In an embodiment in which the plurality of
tool members include first and second tool members, the
multipurpose tool may also include a non-rotating spacer positioned
between the first and second tool members.
In an example embodiment, a multipurpose tool is provided that
includes first and second handles configured for relative movement
between a closed position and an open position. The multipurpose
tool also includes a plurality of tool members. One or more of the
plurality of tool members are carried by and foldable into the
first handle. Similarly, one or more of the plurality of tool
members are carried by and foldable into the second handle. The
multipurpose tool further includes a first magnet carried by the
first handle. The first magnet is configured to exert a magnetic
force that biases the first and second handles into the closed
position.
A multipurpose tool of an example embodiment also includes a second
magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the first
magnet in an instance in which the first and second handles are in
the closed position. In an example embodiment, the first magnet is
positioned relative to the tool members such that the first magnet
establishes the magnetic force in a path that extends through one
or more of the tool members so as to bias the one or more tool
members into a closed position in which the one or more tool
members are folded into a respective handle.
The first handle includes an axle upon which a plurality of tool
members are rotatably mounted. The plurality of tool members
include first and second tool members, each of which includes a cam
member. The multipurpose tool of this example embodiment also
includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each
of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first
and second tool members relative to the first handle. In an example
embodiment, the cam member of the first tool member is different
than the cam member of the second tool member. As such, the cam
follower engages the cam member of the first tool member during
opening of the first tool member upon rotation of the first tool
member through a first incidence angle relative to the first
handle. In this regard, the cam follower engages the cam member of
the second tool member during the opening of the second tool member
following rotation of the second tool member through a second
incidence angle, different than the first incidence angle, relative
to the first handle. In an example embodiment, the cam follower
engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon
opening of the first tool member. Conversely, the cam follower does
not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately
upon opening of the second tool member, but only engages the cam
member of the second tool member during opening of the second tool
member after the second tool member has rotated through the second
incidence angle, which is greater than zero.
The multipurpose tool of an example embodiment also includes first
and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively. Each jaw includes a wall member. The
multipurpose tool of this example embodiment also includes first
and second spring members configured to engage the wall members of
the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall member of each
jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second
spring members engage thicker portions of the wall members of the
first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second
handles are rotated from the closed position to the open position.
The first and second handles each include opposed sidewalls. In an
example embodiment, the first and second spring members are
configured to provide a spring force to the wall members of the
first and second jaws, respectively, that is directed through one
of the sidewalls. In an example embodiment, a respective tool
member defines a slot that includes an enlarged portion. The
respective tool member is configured to alternately receive a knife
blade within the slot or a screwdriver within the enlarged portion
of the slot.
In another example embodiment, a multipurpose tool is provided that
includes first and second handles configured for relative movement
between a closed position and an open position. The multipurpose
tool also includes a plurality of tool members. One or more of the
plurality of tool members are carried by and foldable into the
first handle. Similarly, one or more of the plurality of tool
members are carried by and foldable into the second handle. The
multipurpose tool further includes a first magnet carried by the
first handle and positioned relative to the tool members such that
the first magnet establishes a magnetic force in a path that
extends through at least one tool member carried by the first
handle. The magnetic force therefore biases the at least one tool
member toward a closed position in which the at least one tool
member is folded into the first handle. In an example embodiment,
the multipurpose tool also includes a second magnet carried by the
second handle and aligned with the first magnet in an instance in
which the first and second handles are in the closed position. The
first and second magnets of this example embodiment are configured
to bias the first and second handles into the closed position.
In an example embodiment, the first handle includes an axle upon
which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted. The
plurality of tool members include first and second tool members,
each of which includes a cam member. The multipurpose tool of this
example embodiment also includes a cam follower configured to
engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members
during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to
the handle. In an example embodiment, the cam member of the first
tool member is different than the cam member of the second tool
members. As such, the cam follower engages the cam member of the
first tool member during opening of the first tool member upon
rotation of the first tool member through a first incidence angle
relative to the first handle. In this regard, the cam follower
engages the cam member of the second tool member during opening of
the second tool member following rotation of the second tool member
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, relative to the first handle. In an example
embodiment, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first
tool member immediately upon opening of the first tool member.
Conversely, the cam follower does not engage the cam follower of
the second tool member immediately upon opening of the second tool
member, but only engages the cam member of the second tool member
during the opening of the second tool member after the second tool
member has rotated through the second incidence angle, which is
greater than zero.
The multipurpose tool of an example embodiment also includes first
and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively. Each jaw of this example embodiment includes
a wall member. The multipurpose tool of this embodiment also
includes first and second spring members configured to engage the
wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall
member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first
and second spring members engage thicker portions of the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first
and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open
position. The first and second handles each include opposed
sidewalls. In an example embodiment, the first and second spring
members are configured to provide a spring force to the wall
members of the first and second jaws, respectively, that is
directed through one of the sidewalls.
In a further example embodiment, a multipurpose tool is provided
that includes first and second handles configured for relative
movement between a closed position and an open position. The
multipurpose tool also includes a plurality of tool members carried
by and foldable into the first handle. In this regard, the first
handle includes an axle upon which the plurality of tool members
are rotatably mounted. The plurality of tool members include first
and second tool members, each of which includes a cam member. The
multipurpose tool further includes a cam follower configured to
engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members
during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to
the first handle. The cam member of the first tool member is
different than the cam member of the second tool member. Thus, the
cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member during
rotation of the first tool member upon rotation of the first tool
member through a first incidence angle relative to the first
handle. The cam follower engages the cam member of the second tool
member during opening of the second tool member following rotation
of the second tool member through a second incidence angle,
different than the first incidence angle, relative to the first
handle.
In an example embodiment, the cam follower engages the cam member
of the first tool member immediately upon opening of the first tool
member. Conversely, the cam follower does not engage the cam member
of the second tool member immediately upon opening of the second
tool member, but only engages the cam member of the second tool
member during opening of the second tool member after the second
tool member has rotated through the second incidence angle, which
is greater than zero. A multipurpose tool of an example embodiment
also includes first and second magnets carried by the first and
second handles, respectively. The first and second magnets are
aligned in an instance in which the first and second handles are in
the closed position. The first and second magnets are configured to
bias the first and second handles into the closed position.
The multipurpose tool of an example embodiment also includes first
and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second
handles, respectively. Each jaw includes a wall member. The
multipurpose tool of this example embodiment also includes first
and second spring members configured to engage the wall members of
the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall member of each
jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second
spring members engage thicker portions of the wall members of the
first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second
handles are rotated from the closed position to the open
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general
terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multipurpose tool in accordance
with an example embodiment of the present invention in which the
multipurpose tool is in the open position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multipurpose tool in accordance
with an example embodiment of the present invention in which the
multipurpose tool is in the closed position;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of two different sides of the
multipurpose tool in accordance with an example embodiment of the
present invention in which the multipurpose tool is in the closed
position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating engagement by a user of a
notch defined by tool members of a multipurpose tool in order to
rotatably open the tool members in accordance with an example
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the handle portions of the
multipurpose tool in accordance with an example embodiment of the
present invention;
FIGS. 6A-6C are a sequential series of fragmentary perspective
views of the jaws and a spring configured to interact with the cam
member of a respective jaw as the handles are moved from a closed
position to an open position in accordance with an example
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an end view of a multipurpose tool of an example
embodiment of the present invention which illustrates the cam
members of the jaws;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the interior of a multipurpose tool in a
closed position in accordance with an example embodiment of the
present invention which illustrates the first and second
magnets;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting the engagement
of the magnet by the non-rotating spacer in accordance with an
example embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views to a shorter tool member
and a longer tool member of a multipurpose tool in accordance with
an example embodiment of the present invention which illustrates
their different cam members;
FIGS. 11A-11C are a sequential series of fragmentary side views of
the interior of a multipurpose tool as a longer tool member is
moved from a closed position to an open position in accordance with
an example embodiment of the present invention which illustrates
the interaction of a cam follower with the cam member of a tool
member;
FIGS. 12A-12D are a sequential series of fragmentary side view of
the interior of a multipurpose tool as a shorter tool member is
moved from a closed position to an open position in accordance with
an example embodiment of the present invention which illustrates
the interaction of a cam follower with the cam member of a tool
member;
FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the interior of a multipurpose
tool in which a tool member is in the open position in accordance
with an example embodiment of the present invention which
illustrates the interaction of a spring member with a cam
follower;
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a scissors tool member in
accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the scissors tool member of FIG.
14;
FIG. 16 is a side view of a tool member configured to alternately
receive a knife blade and a screwdriver in accordance with an
example embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is an end view of the tool member of FIG. 16 depicting the
slot that, in turn, defines an enlarged portion;
FIG. 18 is a side view of a bit driver including a spring for
engaging a bit member in accordance with an example embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the bit driver of FIG. 18; and
FIGS. 20A-20D are a sequential series of perspective views
illustrating a technique for assembling a multipurpose tool in
accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not
all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these
inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a tool, such as a multipurpose tool 10,
according to an example embodiment to the present invention is
depicted. While the tool will be described in the context of a
multipurpose tool, other types of tools may readily employ
components of embodiments of the present invention including the
inclusion of those components by knives and other types of tools
that are not considered multipurpose tools. For purposes of
illustration, but not of limitation, however, a multipurpose tool
employing embodiments of the present invention will now be
described.
The multipurpose tool 10 includes a plurality of handles 12
configured for movement relative to one another, as well as a
plurality of tool members carried by at least one of the handles.
Typically the multipurpose tool includes a pair of generally
elongate handles that extend in a lengthwise or longitudinal
direction between opposed ends. As a result of their connection,
such as a pivotal connection, to one another and/or to one or more
of the tool members, the handles can be moved toward and away from
one another, such as to actuate a tool member as described
below.
In this regard, the multipurpose tool 10 may be configured such
that the handles 12 are adapted for relative movement between an
open position as shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position as shown in
FIGS. 2-3. As will be apparent, the multipurpose tool has a compact
form factor in the closed position to facilitate transport and
storage of the multipurpose tool. One or more tool members carried
by the multipurpose tool are generally accessible while in the
multipurpose tool is in the closed position. While the multipurpose
tool is more expansive in the open position, one or more different
tool members of the multipurpose tool are accessible and capable of
being utilized in the open position, even though those same tool
members(s) are stowed and generally inaccessible in the closed
position.
Each handle 12 includes a pair of opposed sidewalls 14 and, in some
embodiments, a floor 16 having a web extending between the opposed
sidewalls, thereby defining a channel within the handle to receive
and store a plurality of tool members. The handle of an example
embodiment has a cross-sectional shape, taken in a lateral
direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the
elongate handle, that varies along the length of the handle. In
this regard, each handle may include a proximal end 18 about which
the handle pivots in order to transition between the closed and
opened positions. Each handle of this example embodiment also
includes a distal end 20, longitudinally opposed to the proximal
end. In this example embodiment, the portion of the handle closest
to, such as adjacent to, the proximal end of the handle, has a
generally U-shaped channel defined by the opposed sidewalls and the
floor that extends therebetween. Even within the portion of the
handle that defines a U-shaped channel, the floor need not extend
continuously between the opposed sidewalls. Instead, the floor of
the illustrated embodiment includes a first floor portion 22
proximate the distal end of the handle that generally extends
between the opposed sidewalls and that defines a spring member 24
as described below. In addition, the floor of the illustrated
embodiment includes a second floor portion that extends from the
first floor portion to the proximal end of the handle. The second
floor portion includes edge members 26 that extend laterally inward
from the opposed sidewalls. The edge members do not extend across
the channel between the opposed sidewalls, but, instead, extend
only part way across the channel so as to define an opening into
the channel between the edge members. In an example embodiment, the
interior edge of the edge members includes an upwardly turned
portion 28.
In contrast to the U-shaped channel defined by the portion of the
handle 12 closest to the proximal end 18, the portion of the handle
closest to, such as adjacent to, the distal end 20 of the handle
has a different shape, such as a W-shape. In this regard, the
channel defined by the pair of opposed sidewalls 14 and the floor
16 is not open between the opposed sidewalls. Instead, within the
channel defined by the opposed sidewalls, such as in a medial
portion of the channel between the pair of opposed sidewalls, a
pair of intermediate sidewalls 30 extend into the channel. The
intermediate sidewalls may extend upwardly into the channel from
the interior edge of the edge members 26 and may be interconnected
at their upper edges by an interconnecting web 32. The intermediate
sidewalls may be the same height as the opposed sidewalls or may
have a different height, such as by being shorter than the opposed
sidewalls. Thus, the portion of the handle proximate the distal end
includes the pair of opposed sidewalls and the edge members of the
floor that extend inward into the channel from each of the pair of
opposed sidewalls. The intermediate sidewalls then extend upwardly
from the interior edge of the edge members and are interconnected
to one another with the interconnecting web so as to define the
W-shaped channel.
Each of the two handles 12 of the multipurpose tool 10 may have the
same configuration, such as by having a hybrid U-W configuration as
a result of the handle having one portion with a U-shaped channel
and another portion with a W-shaped channel. Alternatively, the
first and second handles may be differently shaped, such as with
one of the handles having a U-shaped channel and the other handle
having the hybrid U-W configuration as described above.
Although each handle 12 may be a single unitary structure, each
handle may, instead, be formed of a plurality of discrete handle
portions 12a that are joined to one another to form the resulting
handle. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each handle is
formed of two handle portions that are attached to one another to
form the handle. Each handle portion of this example embodiment
includes a sidewall 14, e.g., an outer sidewall, a portion of the
floor 16 including the edge member 26 that extends inwardly from
the respective sidewall, an intermediate sidewall 30 and an
interconnecting web 32. The interconnecting webs of the handle
portions of this embodiment may be disposed so as to overlay one
another and may then be joined, such as with a rivet 33, in order
to form the handle.
The multipurpose tool 10 of an example embodiment depicted in FIGS.
1 and 6 includes a tool member in the form of jaws 34 that are
pivotally connected to one another, such as at a pivot point 36.
Each jaw includes a cam member 38 disposed, typically entirely or
substantially, within the proximal end 18 of a respective handle
12. In this regard, the first and second handles may include a hub
41 that extends between the intermediate sidewalls 30 of the
W-shaped portion of the handle, as shown in FIG. 5. The hub of an
example embodiment may be formed by a pin and screw that engage one
another. The hub of this example embodiment does not extend between
the opposed sidewalls 14 (hereinafter also referenced as the outer
sidewalls as a result of their positional relationship to the
intermediate sidewalls), but may be limited to extension between
the intermediate sidewalls. The cam member of each jaw defines an
opening through which the hub of the respective handle extends such
that each jaw is both rotatably connected to a respective handle
and pivotally connected to the other jaw member. Thus, the handles
may be rotated from a closed position in which the jaws are folded
through the opening into the channel between the edge members 26 so
as to be stowed within the channel defined by the handle to an open
position in which the jaws extend beyond the handles. In the closed
position and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the handles may also
include internal jaw stop members 31 that the jaws may contact as
the handles are folded from the open position to the closed
position so as to maintain the jaws in the desired position within
the respective handles. However, in the open position, the handles
may be alternately moved toward and away from one another so as to
open and close the jaw members. The multipurpose tool may include a
variety of different types of jaws including pliers, scissors or
the like. In an example embodiment in which the jaws include a pair
of pliers, the pair of pliers may also include a pair of wire
cutters carried by the respective jaws to further increase the
functionality of the multipurpose tool.
As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the cam member 38 of each jaw 34 defines a
curved exterior surface 40 and a wall member 42 extending from the
curved exterior surface, such as by extending outwardly from the
curved exterior surface. In an example embodiment, the wall member
extends at least partially circumferentially about the curved
surface along one edge of the curved surface. The wall member has a
thickness that gradually increases in a circumferential direction
about the curved surface of the cam member from a thinner end 42a
to a thicker end 42b, as shown in FIG. 7. In an example embodiment,
the thickness of the wall member increases linearly, although the
thickness of the wall member may increase in other manners. The
wall member may increase in thickness by various amounts. In an
example embodiment, however, the wall member may double in
thickness from the thinner end that the respective spring engages
while the handles 12 are in the closed position to the thicker end
that the respective spring member engages as the handles approach
the open position.
In this example embodiment, the multipurpose tool 10 also includes
a pair of springs 44, one of which is configured to engage the wall
member 42 of the cam member 38 of each jaw 34. In an example
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, each spring is a cantilevered
spring that defines a slot 44a to form the spring. Although the
spring may be a discrete component that are attached to the
respective handle 12, the spring of an example embodiment is
integral with and defined by the interconnecting web 32 of one of
the handle portions 12a, such as the innermost one of the
interconnecting webs. In this example embodiment, the spring may be
attached to the other handle portion, such as by the rivet 33, in
order to positionally affix the spring relative to the respective
handle. In this example embodiment, the spring generally extends in
a planer manner alongside the outermost one of the interconnecting
webs.
Each spring 44 may include a web 44b that operably contacts an
intermediate sidewall 30 of the W-shaped portion of the handle 12,
while an arm 44c of the spring is biased against the wall member 42
of the cam member 38 of the respective jaw 34. In the embodiment in
which the spring is formed by and integral with one of the handle
portions 12a as shown in FIG. 5, the web of the spring is in
operable contact with the intermediate sidewall as a result of the
spring being integral with the handle portion including the
intermediate sidewall. Regardless, each spring is generally formed
relative to the handle and to the cam member such that the spring
is compressed between the intermediate sidewall of the W-shaped
portion of the handle and the wall member of the cam member. As a
result, each spring is configured to apply forces that extend
laterally across the respective handle, such as in a direction
extending through the outer sidewalls 14 and the intermediate
sidewalls 30 of the handle. Thus, the spring does not apply
appreciable, if any, force to the floor 16 of the handle and,
instead, relies upon the generally greater strength and rigidity
afforded by the sidewalls of the handle for support.
As shown in FIG. 6A, when a handle 12 is in the closed position,
the arm 44c of the spring 44 operably contacts a thinner portion of
the wall member 42 of the cam member 38 of the respective jaw 34,
such as by operably contacting the thinner end 42a. However, as the
handle is moved from the closed position to an open position and
the cam members of the handles rotate about the hub 41 relative to
the respective spring, the arm of each spring member generally
rides against and contacts a progressively thicker portion of the
wall member of the cam member of the jaw, as shown in FIG. 6B. As a
result of the reduction in the width between the intermediate wall
30 of the W-shaped portion of the handle and the wall member, the
bias force exerted by the spring upon the wall member gradually
increases as the handle is rotated from the closed position to the
open position. As such, a user must correspondingly provide a
larger opening force to the handles to complete the transition of
the handles from the closed position to the open position.
In an example embodiment, the portion of the arm 44c of the spring
44 that contacts the wall member 42 of a respective jaw 34 rotates
beyond the wall member as the handles 12 reach the fully open
position, as shown in FIG. 6C. In this regard, the cam member 38 of
the jaw may define a notch 46 circumferentially adjacent the
thicker end 42b of the wall member, as shown in FIG. 6C. In this
example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the arm of the spring
may include a positive cam follower in the form of a protruding
contact portion 44d extending outwardly from the remainder of the
arm toward the wall member so as to operably engage the wall member
during rotation of the handles from the closed position to the open
position. As the handles reach the fully open position, the contact
portion of the arm of the spring may rotate beyond the thicker end
of the wall member and engage the notch defined by the cam member
of the respective jaw, thereby providing haptic feedback, such as
one or both of tactile an auditory feedback, informing the user
that the jaw is fully deployed. In addition, the handle, such as
the interconnecting web 32 of the W-shaped portion of the handle,
may also engage a stop 31 defined by the jaw so as to provide a
physical stop to further rotation of the handles relative to the
jaws and to also provide haptic feedback informing the user that
the jaw is fully closed.
The jaws 34 may be configured and the handles 12 may be rotatably
connected to the cam members 38 of their respective jaws in such a
manner such that a gap 48 is defined between the handles along the
entire length of the handles once the handles are in the fully open
position. By requiring a gap between the handles along the entire
length of the handles, the multipurpose tool 10 may avoid pinching
the user as the handles are fully opened.
The engagement of the contact portion 44d of the arm 44c of the
spring 44 with the notch 46 defined by the cam member 38 of a
respective jaw may prevent, or at least reduce the likelihood of,
inadvertent closure of the handles 12 as the user must apply
sufficient closure force to the handles to cause the spring to
deflect such that the contact portion is disengaged from the notch
and is transitioned so as to again ride along the wall member 42.
To facilitate this transition, the notch defined by the cam member
and the contact portion of the arm of the spring may have an at
least partially rounded or angled profile. For example the thicker
end 42b of the wall member may include an angled edge 46a that at
least partially defines the notch so as to ramp the contact portion
from the notch onto the wall member upon the application of
sufficient closure force.
Thus, the multipurpose tool 10 provides for smooth opening and
closing of the handles 12 in order to alternately deploy and stow
the jaws 34. However, the multipurpose tool prevents inadvertent
opening of the handles by requiring the user to apply increased
force to fully open the handles as a result of the interaction of
the springs 44 and the wall members 42 of the cam members 38 of the
respective jaws. Similarly, the multipurpose tool prevents
inadvertent closure of the handles as a result of the engagement of
the contact portion 44d of the springs within the corresponding
notch 46 defined by the cam member and the requirement for the user
to apply additional force to commence the folding of the
handles.
In order to bias the handles 12 into a closed position and to avoid
inadvertent opening of the handles from the closed position, the
multipurpose tool 10 may include a first magnet carried by one of
the handles and, more typically, first and second magnets 50
carried by the first and second handles, respectively, as shown in
FIG. 8. In this regard, the first and second magnets may be
spatially aligned with one another when the handles are in the
closed position. The magnets generate a magnetic force. The
magnetic force is directed in a flux path that extends through the
handles and/or components, such as the tool members, carried by the
handles. The magnetic force is an attractive magnetic force such
that the magnetic force biases the handles toward one another in
the closed position. The magnets are configured, however, such that
the magnetic force may be overcome by an opening force applied by a
user in order to intentionally open the handles from the closed
position to the open position. Thus, the magnetic force prevents
the inadvertent opening of the handles from the closed position to
the open position, but allows the opening of the handles once the
user has supplied a sufficient force.
Additionally, the attractive magnetic force provided by the magnets
50 carried by the handles 12 is primarily applicable when the
handles are relatively close to one another, such as in an instance
in which the handles have been opened so as to define an internal
angle therebetween of no more than about 20.degree.. Thereafter, as
the handles are more fully opened, the magnetic force has much more
limited or even negligible impact upon the force required to open
the handles. Thus, the combination of the magnetic attractive
forces provided by the magnets while the handles are in a closed or
nearly closed position and the interaction of the springs 44 with
the wall members 42 of the cam members 38 of the jaws 34 provide
for a smooth opening of the handles from the closed position to the
open position. Indeed, the multipurpose tool of an example
embodiment may be opened by a user holding the multipurpose tool 10
with one hand, such as by holding one of the handles of the
multipurpose tool, and then applying a rotating force to the
multipurpose tool, such as by flipping the handle that is not being
held by the user away from the handle that the user is holding,
thereby causing the magnetic force to be overcome and the distal
ends 20 of the handles to separate with the handles thereafter
rotating from the closed position to the open position. Conversely,
when the handles are closed from the open position to the closed
position, the magnetic forces provided by the magnets may assist
with fully closing the handles as the distal ends of the handles
are brought relatively close to one another.
The magnets 50 may be carried by the handles 12 in various manners.
In an example embodiment, however, the magnets are disposed within
a carrier 52, such as a holder formed from a plastic or metal
material. The carrier, in turn, may be mounted within the channel
defined by a respective handle, such as by either being
mechanically attached to the handle or being positioned relative to
the other components within the handle such that the carrier is
secured via an interference fit within the channel defined by the
respective handle. The magnets are generally carried by the handles
so as to be closer to the distal ends 20 of the handles that
separate from one another as the handles are moved from the closed
position to the open position than the proximal ends 18 of the
handles. In one example embodiment, the magnets are positioned by a
distance of about 5% to about 25% of the length of the handles from
the distal end of the handles.
In addition to the jaws 34, the multipurpose tool 10 generally
includes a number of other tool members. In the illustrated
embodiment, the distal end 20 of each handle 12 also includes an
axle 54 that extends between the opposed sidewalls 14 of the
handles. Thus, the axle at the distal end of the handles is longer
than the hub 41 at the proximal end 18 of the handles. A plurality
of the tool members of the multipurpose tool may be rotatably
mounted upon the axle proximate the distal end and, in an example
embodiment, a plurality of tool members are mounted upon the axles
at the distal ends of both the first and second handles. Unlike the
jaws 34 that are disposed within the handles and are inaccessible
when the handles are in the closed position, the tool members are
configured to be opened while the handles are in the closed
position and, as such, open through the surface of the handles
(opposite the floor 16) that is exposed when the handles are in the
closed position.
As a result of the hybrid U-shaped and W-shaped handle 12, the tool
members may include a combination of shorter tool members and
longer tool members, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this regard,
the tool members are rotatably mounted upon the axle 54 in the
U-shaped portion of the handle. Thus, the shorter tool members are
generally those tool members disposed within the more central
portion of the channel whose length is limited by the intermediate
sidewalls 30 and interconnecting web 32 of the W-shaped portion of
the handle. Thus, these shorter tool members have a length such
that each shorter tool member extends only through the U-shaped
portion of the handle and does not extend into the W-shaped portion
of the handle. Conversely, while also being rotatably mounted upon
the same axle, the longer tool members extend through not only the
U-shaped portion of the handle, but through at least a portion of
the W-shaped portion of the handle. In this regard, the W-shaped
portion of the handle defines a pair of side channels 56 on
opposite sides of the intermediate sidewalls, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 5. In this regard, each side channel is defined between a pair
of intermediate and outer sidewalls and generally includes a floor
formed by the edge member 26 extending inwardly from the respective
outer sidewall. Since the side channels are generally positioned
proximate the outer sidewalls of the handle, the longer tool
members are also generally mounted upon the axle so as to be
proximate the outer sidewalls. Thus, the shorter tool members are
generally disposed on the axle between the longer tool members. As
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the handles may also include non-rotating
spacers 59 positioned between the shorter tool members and the
longer tool members.
While the multipurpose tool 10 may include a variety of different
tools and different combinations of tools depending upon the type
of multipurpose tool, the user preferences or the like, examples of
some of the shorter tool members include a bit driver, a file, a
pair of scissors, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, an a small knife,
while the longer tool members may include one or more knife blades,
a saw blade and/or a file. By including both longer tool members
and shorter tool members, the utility of the resulting multipurpose
tool may be enhanced, particularly with the inclusion of longer
tool members that are selected such that the functions performed by
the longer tool members, such as the knife blades and saw blades,
can be performed more efficiently as a result of the increased
length relative to the shorter tool members. Additionally, the
handles 12 may be formed, such as with rounded corners, and the
tool members may be disposed within the handles while in the closed
position in order to provide a relatively smooth surface for the
user to grasp and press against while utilizing the tool members,
particularly the longer tool members.
Although the tool members may be opened in various manners, the
tool members of an example embodiment include a notch 58 proximate
the axle 54 upon which the tool members are mounted and, in an
example embodiment, positioned closer to the distal end 20 of the
handles 12 than the axle. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the notch
extends laterally across the tool members mounted upon the axle in
a direction extending between the opposed sidewalls 14 of the
handle. The notch is defined by the edge of the tool members that
is exposed in an instance in which the tool members are folded into
the channel defined by the handle. In other words, the notch opens
outwardly from the multipurpose tool 10 in an instance in which the
tool members are folded into the channel defined by the handle so
as to serve as a finger ledge or hook to be engaged by the user in
order to at least partially rotatably open the tool members
relative to the handle. Upon application of a force by the user to
the notch as shown in FIG. 4, such as by positioning the thumb of
the user upon the rear surface of the tool members that are exposed
within the channel of the handle and applying a force, such as a
sliding force directed toward the distal end of the handles, with
the thumb of the user engaging the notch, one or more of the
shorter tool members may be rotatably opened, at least partially,
from the respective handle. In this regard, a notch may be defined
in a uniform and aligned manner by each of the shorter tool members
mounted upon the axle such that the notch defined by each of the
shorter tool members carried by a respective handle may be engaged
at one time by the user, such as by the thumb of the user applying
the sliding motion toward the distal end of the handle. As a result
the tool members may be readily accessed by a user using one hand,
such as the thumb of the user, even while the user wearing gloves
without requiring the user to use their fingernails in order to pry
the tool members out of the handle. Although the longer tool
members may also define a notch, the longer tool members of some
embodiments do not include a notch and are, instead, accessed via a
cutout 76 as described below. In this example embodiment, the
shorter tool members may exhibit clumping in which all or at least
a plurality of the shorter tool members are at least partially
opened at the same time by the application of the distally directed
sliding force by the user. Once the plurality of shorter tool
members have been at least partially opened, such as in a clumped
fashion, the user may more readily identify the tool member that
the user desires to utilize and may then close the other tool
members and fully open the tool member that is desired to be
utilized. Thus, the user is largely spared from having to identify
the particular tool member that is desired to be utilized while the
tool members are fully folded into the handle and similarly is
spared from simply having to guess and repeatedly open different
ones of the tool members, one at a time, in an effort to locate the
desired tool member. Instead, the opening of a plurality of tool
members in a clumped fashion with the single application of an
opening force by the user allows the user to more readily identify
and select the tool to be utilized while simply folding the other
tools back into the handle.
The non-rotating spacers 59 that separate the shorter tool members
from the longer tool members effectively prevent the longer tool
members from being opened when the user engages the notches defined
by the shorter tool members and rotatably opens the shorter tool
members, thereby avoiding inadvertent deployment of the longer tool
members. The spacers may be configured not to rotate in various
manners. In one embodiment, the spacers are mounted on the axle 54
and include a finger 59a that extends into the channel defined by
the respective handle 12 and engages the magnet 50 or the magnet
carrier 52 as shown in FIG. 9. In this regard, the finger of the
spacer may be configured to engage both a side surface and a top
surface of the magnet or the magnet carrier, thereby effectively
preventing the spacer from rotating.
Although described herein in the context of particular embodiments
of a multipurpose tool, a wide variety of multipurpose tools may
include one or more tool members that define a notch 58 in order to
facilitate user accessibility For example, a multipurpose tool
having a single handle may include one or more tool members that
define a notch to permit the user to rotatably open the tool
member(s) without having to utilize their fingernails.
The portion of the tool members that is exposed through the channel
defined by the handles 12 when in a closed position may include a
plurality of grooves 60 extending laterally across the plurality of
shorter tool members. Although the grooves may extend across all of
the tool members, the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B
include grooves extending across the shorter tool members, but not
the longer tool members. The grooves are spaced longitudinally in
an aligned manner across the plurality of shorter tool members. The
grooves provide a visible indication to a user as to where to press
in order to apply the opening force to the tool members. In
addition, the grooves provide some additional grip during use of
the tool members.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the tool members also include
respective cam members 62 and the multipurpose tool 10 includes a
cam follower 64 configured to engage the cam members of the tool
members so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the tool members
and to require the user to provide increased rotational force to
the tool members relative to the handles 12 in order to fully open
the tool members. In an example embodiment, the multipurpose tool
may include a single cam follower for engaging the cam member of
each of the tool members rotatably mounted upon the axle 54
proximate the distal end 20 of a respective handle. However, as
illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B with respect to shorter tool
members 61 and longer tool members 63, the cam members of the tool
members mounted upon the axle may be different from one another so
as to differently interact with the cam follower during rotation of
the tool members from the closed position to the open position.
Regardless of the length of the tool members, the cam member has a
curved cam surface 66 configured to interact with the cam follower.
The curved cam surface of an example embodiment has a spiral shape
such that the radius from the axle upon which the tool member is
mounted to the cam surface increases, such as in a linear manner,
in a circumferential direction about the cam surface. In this
regard, the radius defined by the cam surface may increase from
that portion of the cam surface that the cam follower is proximate
when the tool member is in the fully closed position to that
portion of the cam surface that the cam follower is proximate as
the tool member approaches the fully open position.
As shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, the cam follower 64 is configured to
engage the cam member 62 of the longer tool members 63 while the
longer tool member is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 11A,
throughout the entire process of opening the longer tool member as
shown in FIG. 11B and when the longer tool member is in the open
position as shown in FIG. 11C. Thus, the continuous engagement of
the cam follower with the cam member of longer tool member provides
at least some resistance to the opening of the longer tool member
in order to avoid its inadvertent opening. In contrast, the cam
member 62 of the shorter tool members 61 of this example embodiment
is configured such that the cam follower 64 does not engage and,
indeed, is spaced from the cam surface 66 as the tool member
rotates from a fully closed position to a first incidence angle at
which the cam follower initially engages the cam surface. See, for
example, FIGS. 12A and 12B which illustrate lack of engagement and
the space between the cam surface and the cam follower as the
shorter tool member is opened from a closed position to an angle
that is less than the first incidence angle. Thus, the cam follower
does not bias or otherwise limit the initial rotation of the
shorter tool member from the closed position up to the first
incidence angle. The first incidence angle of an example embodiment
is less than 90.degree., such as between about 300 and 80.degree.,
although the cam surface may be configured to define different
incidence angles in other embodiments. The multipurpose tool 10 may
be configured to prevent the engagement of the cam follower and the
cam surface of the shorter tool members until the shorter tool
members have been opened by at least the first incidence angle in
various manners, such as described below. Once the shorter tool
member opens to the first incidence angle, the cam follower engages
the cam surface and rides thereupon, as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D
in which the shorter tool member is further opened to the open
position. The cam follower is biased, such as by a spring member
24, into engagement with the cam surface so as to resist further
opening of the tool member and to require the user to apply
increased rotational force to fully open the tool member, thereby
avoiding inadvertent opening of the tool member.
As shown in FIG. 13, the cam follower 64 may be configured in
various manners, but, in an example embodiment, the cam follower is
a plate-like member rotatably mounted to an axle 68 proximate the
distal end 20 of the handle 12. In this regard, the cam follower
may be mounted upon an axle that is closer to the distal end of the
handle than the axle 54 upon which the tool members are mounted.
Additionally, the axle upon which the cam follower is mounted may
be proximate the floor 16 of the handle or, at least, closer to the
floor than the axle upon which the tool members are mounted. As
such, the handle, such as the floor of the handle, may define the
spring member 24 that urges the cam follower into engagement with
the cam surfaces 66 of the tool members. In the illustrated
embodiment, the floor of the handle includes a pair of spring
members defined by slots formed in the floor of the handles with
the spring members biased toward the cam follower so as to urge the
cam follower toward the cam surfaces of the tool members.
In accordance with an example embodiment, the cam surfaces 66 of
the tool members extend circumferentially about the cam member 62
and terminate with the notch 58 engaged by the user to open the
tool members. Once the tool member is fully opened, the spring
member 24 urges the cam follower 64 into the notch. As shown in
FIG. 13, the spring member applies a force to the cam follower at a
location between the axle 54 upon which the tool members are
mounted and the axle 68 upon which the cam follower is pivotally
mounted so as to urge the cam follower into the notch, thereby
providing haptic feedback, e.g., tactile and/or auditory feedback,
advising the user that the tool member is fully opened. The notch
is at least partially defined by a wall member 70, such as a wall
member that extends substantially radially outward from the axle
54. The distal end 64a of the cam follower is configured to abut
the wall member of the notch, such as at a substantially
perpendicular orientation, when the tool member is in the fully
open position as a result of the force applied by the spring member
to the cam follower. Thus, the tool member will reliably remain in
the open position during use and will have substantial rigidity as
a result of the mechanical interaction between the cam follower and
the wall member that at least partially defines the notch. Further,
interaction between the tool member and the cam follower proximate
the axle upon which the cam follower is rotatably mounted provides
a stop to further over-rotation of the tool member and further adds
to the rigidity of the tool member during use. The cam follower
therefore serves as the lock for each of the tool members mounted
upon the axle.
In order to close the tool member, a user of the multipurpose tool
10 of this example embodiment is required to provide a force to the
cam follower 64 that causes the spring member 24 to deflect and the
cam follower to disengage the notch 58 defined by the cam surface
66. Once the cam follower has been disengaged from the notch, the
tool member may be folded from the fully open position to a
partially closed position and may then be further rotated to the
fully closed position with haptic feedback again being provided to
inform the user that the tool member is fully closed as a result of
the tool member contacting a corresponding stop within the handle,
such as the kick or foot of one or more of the tool members
contacting the magnet carrier 52. In an example embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle 12 defines a slot 72 through an outer
sidewall 14 and a lever 74 connected to the cam follower extends
through this slot. Thus, a user may apply a force to the lever that
displaces the spring member and causes the cam follower to be
disengaged from the notch defined by the cam surface of the
respective tool member such that the tool member may be folded from
the fully opened position. Advantageously, the user may actuate the
lever and close the tool member with one hand while keeping their
hand outside of the path of travel of the tool member. The slot 72
of an example embodiment may be defined so as to limit the travel
of the cam follower that would otherwise be caused by the spring
member. In this regard, the slot may be defined so as to prevent
the cam follower from being deflected by the spring member to such
a degree that the cam follower contacts the cam surface of the
shorter tool members until the shorter tool members have been
rotatably opened to at least the first incidence angle.
Although the cam follower 64 does not engage the cam surfaces 66 of
the shorter tool members 61 until the shorter tool members have
rotated through a first incidence angle, the magnetic forces
applied by the first and second magnets 50 may also extend through
the tool members and apply a bias force to the tool members to
prevent the tool member from opening from the handle absent the
application of an opening force by the user. Thus, the tool members
cannot be freely opened even though the cam follower does not
immediately engage the cam surfaces of the shorter tool members,
but instead, an opening force must be applied to the tool members
by the user so as to overcome the magnetic force. As described
above with respect to the opening with the handles, the magnetic
force applied by the magnets significantly dissipates after the
tool members have been opened to some degree, such as to about the
first incidence angle. Thus, the opening of the tool members, such
as the shorter tool members, requires the user to overcome a
combination of the magnetic forces provided by the magnets carried
by the handles and the bias force provided by a cam follower which
engages the cam surfaces of the tool members with the user
initially needing to overcome the magnetic forces provided by the
magnets and then needing to overcome the bias force provided by the
interaction of the cam follower with the cam surfaces of the tool
members once the tool members have opened to about the first
incidence angle.
As noted above, the interaction between the cam follower 64 and the
cam surfaces 66 of the tool members may differ from one tool member
to another. In this example embodiment, the longer tool members may
include cam members 62 having cam surfaces that are differently
configured than the cam surfaces of the shorter tool members. In
this regard, the cam surfaces of the longer tool members may be
configured to also have a spiral shape in which the radius from the
axle 54 about which the tool members rotate to the cam surfaces
increases in a circumferential direction from the portion of the
cam surface with which the cam follower is aligned when the tool
member is in the closed position to the portion of the cam surface
engaged by the cam follower when the tool member is in a fully open
position. However, the cam surfaces of the longer tool members of
this example embodiment are configured such that the cam follower
engages the cam surfaces upon rotation of the longer tool members
through a second incidence angle, different than the first
incidence angle, such as by being less than the first incidence
angle. For example, the second incidence angle may be 0.degree.
such that the cam follower initially engages the cam surfaces of
the longer tool members while the longer tool members are in the
closed position and then continues to engage the cam surfaces as
the longer tool members are rotated from the closed position to the
open position with the cam follower providing increased bias force
as a result of the ever-increasing radius of the cam surface thus,
the user must provide increased opening forces to fully open the
tool member. See, for example, FIGS. 11A-11C.
The longer tool members may include tool members that have longer
cutting edges than the shorter tool members. Thus, the cam surfaces
66 of longer tool members may be configured to require the user to
apply more force in order to initially open the longer tool members
than the shorter tool members so as to provide even greater
resistance to inadvertent opening of the longer tool members,
particularly in instances in which the magnets 50 may have been
removed from the multipurpose tool 10. Like the shorter tool
members, the longer tool members may be locked in the fully open
position and may have significant rigidity as a result of the
manner in which the cam follower engages the notch 58 defined by
the cam surfaces of the longer tool members. Further, the longer
tool members may be unlocked and folded into the closed position in
a comparable manner to that described above with respect to the
shorter tool members.
As a result of the manner in which the cam follower 64 engages the
cam surfaces 66 of the tool members, the shorter tool members
having cam members 62 are not initially engaged by the cam follower
may more readily open, such as in a clump, in response to an
opening force applied by the user, such as by sliding your thumb
toward the distal end 20 of the handle 12, while the longer tool
members that have cam surfaces that are initially engaged by the
cam follower may not open as readily and, in any event, may not
open in a clump with the shorter tool members. However, the longer
tool members are generally positioned within the side channels 56
proximate the outer sidewalls 14. Thus, the exterior sidewalls may
define a cutout 76 to permit the user to engage the longer tool
members and to apply an opening force thereto in a manner that is
generally not available with respect to the shorter tool members
positioned upon a central portion of the axle 54 between the longer
tool members. See, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B.
As noted above, the multipurpose tool 10 can include a variety of
tool members. For example, one tool member may be a pair of
scissors 80, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The pair of scissors of
an example embodiment may include an adjacent pair of blades that
interact with one another in a scissors motion. The pair of
scissors blades may be opened such that in the fully open position
one of the blades, namely, a fixed blade 82, is locked in a fully
open position and is fixed in position relative to the handle 12.
The other blade, namely, the movable blade 84, is permitted to move
relative to the fixed blade in order to provide the cutting motion.
In order to actuate the scissors in the absence of handles, the
user generally places one finger under the fixed blade, such as
along the back surface of the fixed blade and another finger, such
as the thumb of the user, on the back surface of the movable blade.
In order to facilitate the user's interaction with the scissor
blades, the back surface of one or both of the blades may include a
broader tab 86 in order to provide a larger surface area upon which
the user may interact.
The movable blade 84 may be biased into an open position. Although
a variety of different springs may be utilized, the spring 86 of
one example has a generally U-shape with one leg of the u-shaped
spring being somewhat longer and mounted upon the axle 54 and the
other leg of the U-shaped spring being offset laterally therefrom
so as to engage a rear portion of the moveable blade. The spring is
configured to apply a bias force to the movable blade so as to
cause the movable blade to open relative to the fixed blade 82.
The movable and fixed scissors blades 84, 82 may interact with one
another so as to limit the relative movement therebetween. In this
regard, one of the scissors blades, such as the movable blade, may
define a recessed track 85, while the other scissors blade, such as
the fixed blade, may include a pin 87 or other protuberance that is
seated within and engages the recessed track. To facilitate the
relative movement between the scissors blades, the recessed track
may have an arcuate shape and the pin may ride therewithin during
movement of the scissors blades between the open and close
position. However, the interaction between the pin and recessed
track, such as the limits imposed upon the movement of the pin and,
therefore, the relative movement of the scissors blades by the
opposed ends of the recessed track, prevents the scissors blades
from closing too completely or from opening too far.
Another tool member is configured to alternately hold a knife blade
90, such as an X-Acto.TM. knife blade, and a screwdriver 92, such
as an eyeglasses screwdriver, as shown in FIG. 16. As illustrated
in FIG. 17, the tool member defines an internal cavity and a slot
94 opening through an end surface of the tool member and into the
internal cavity. The slot is sized and shaped so as to receive a
knife blade. In order to retain the knife blade within the tool
member during use, the tool member defines a spring 96, such as a
U-shaped spring that engages the knife blade, such as a
corresponding recess defined by the knife blade, once the knife
blade has been inserted therein. In order to disengage the knife
blade and to permit the knife blade to be removed from the tool
member, the spring may be deflected and the knife blade may be
removed. In an example embodiment, the spring member may be defined
by a plate 98, such as a relatively thin metal plate that defines
at least a portion of the internal cavity of the tool member. Like
the tool member, the plate is rotatably mounted upon the axle 54
carried by the distal end 20 of the handle 12, but is able to be
deflected by a user who applies a deflection to the portion of the
plate proximate the spring member that engages the knife blade.
Upon removal of the knife blade and removal of the deflection force
by the user, the plate returns to its undeflected position and is
configured to engage another knife blade.
The tool member of this example embodiment is configured such that
the slot 94 defined by the tool member includes an enlarged portion
100. The enlarged portion has a profile that matches the profile of
a screwdriver 92. In an example embodiment, the screwdriver may
have a hexagonal shape, such as a squashed hexagonal shape, and the
enlarged portion of the slot may define a correspondingly sized and
shaped hexagonal opening, such as a squashed hexagonal opening, for
snuggly receiving the screwdriver bit. Thus, the same tool member
may alternately receive and engage a knife blade 90 and a
screwdriver bit in order to further increase the utility afforded
by the multipurpose tool 10.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, another tool member may be a bit
driver 102 in which the tool member defines a cavity in which one
or more differently sized and shaped bit members 104 may be
inserted and retained. In order to retain the bit members, the tool
member includes a spring 106 configured to engage the bit members
upon insertion into the cavity defined by the tool member. In this
embodiment depicted in FIG. 17, the bit member includes a shaft
that defines a notch 108 along at least one side thereof. The
spring is biased into engagement with the notch defined by the
shaft of the bit so as to securely retain the bit within the tool
member. The user is then required to apply a disengagement force to
displace the spring from the notch in order to permit the bit to be
removed from the tool member and replaced, for example, with a
different bit.
The spring 106 of an example embodiment is a U-shaped spring member
that extends along one side of the tool member and includes an end
portion 106a that is bent inward toward the bit member so as to
engage the notch defined thereby. In order to prevent or at least
reduce deflection of the spring member, such as in a lateral or
side-to-side direction relative to the elongate length of the
spring member, the tool member of this example embodiment depicted
in FIGS. 18 and 19 may include a support member 110 that is aligned
with the elongate opening defined by the U-shaped spring and is
seated therewithin such that any lateral deflection of the U-shaped
spring causes contact with the support member which prevents or
least limits such deflection and correspondingly reducing the
fatigue of the spring otherwise caused by such deflection. Thus,
the spring may more securely retain the bit member within the tool
member while still permitting controlled removal and replacement of
the bit member.
The multipurpose tool 10 may be assembled in various manners. In an
example embodiment, however, each handle 12 is formed of a
plurality of handle portions 12a, such as a pair of handle portions
as described above. In this example embodiment, a handle portion
may be positioned such that the outer sidewall 14 lays flat upon a
surface, such as a table or desk. An axle 54 may be positioned
through a corresponding opening defined by the outer sidewall so as
to extend upwardly therefrom and one or more tool members may then
be stacked upon the axle. In the example described above, a longer
tool member 63 may be positioned upon the axle adjacent the outer
sidewall so as to extend through the side channels 56 defined by
the W-shaped portion of the handle, as shown in FIG. 20A. The cam
follower 64 and associated lever 74 may also be rotatably mounted
to the handle portion 12a. Thereafter, one or more shorter tool
members 61 may be mounted upon the axle 54 as shown in FIG. 20B. In
order to increase the flexibility with which the tool members may
be assembled, the tool members are uniform so as to be actuated and
unlocked in an equivalent manner by either the right hand or the
left hand of the user, thereby avoiding issues related to the
handedness of the tool members. Once the desired tools have been
stacked upon the axle, the other handle portion may be mounted upon
the stacked tools as shown in FIG. 20C. Another longer tool member
may then be mounted upon the axle so as to extend through the side
channel defined by the other handle portion and the axle may be
mechanically connected so as to be retained by the handle, as shown
in FIG. 20D. In addition, the handle portions may be joined, such
as by a rivet 33 through the interconnecting webs 32 of the
W-shaped portion of the handle. In this regard, the same rivet may
also mechanically attach the spring 44 to the interconnecting
webs.
A jaw 34 may also be positioned within the channel defined by the
handle 12 and the cam member 38 of the jaw may be positioned
between the intermediate sidewalls 30 with a hub 41 extending
between the intermediate sidewalls and through an opening defined
by the cam member of the jaw. The jaws carried by a pair of handles
may then be rotatably connected at the pivot point 36 to complete
the assembly of a multipurpose tool 10.
By assembling the multipurpose tool 10 in this manner, the tool
members may be mounted upon the axle 54 in a more controlled and
systematic fashion. In addition, a user or supplier may customize
the tool members or the relative location of the tool members
included within the resulting multipurpose tool. To facilitate this
configuration, each tool member may have the same thickness.
Alternatively, the tool members may have different thickness
selected from among a set of predetermined thicknesses, such as in
increments of 0.02 inches or 0.04 inches. In this embodiment, the
multipurpose tool may also include spacers configured to be mounted
upon the axle with the spacers having a predefined thickness that
offsets or accommodates any differences in the thicknesses of the
tool members such that the tool members can be readily stacked upon
the axle with the longer tool members aligned with the side
channels 56 defined by the W-shaped portion of the handle 12 and
the shorter tool members aligned within the medial portion of the
channel. For example, non-rotating spacers 59 may be disposed
between the longer tool members and the shorter tool members as
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in order to isolate the tool members.
Although the handle 12 may be formed of two handle portions 12a
that are substantially mirror images of one another, the handle of
an example embodiment may be further customized by the inclusion of
different handle portions. For example, in an instance in which the
multipurpose tool 10 need not include as many of the longer tool
members, each handle may include a first handle portion as
described above so as to define a side channel 56 and a second
handle portion that only includes a sidewall that extends the
length of the handle and an interconnecting web 30 extending
outwardly therefrom. Therefore, the second handle portion does not
define a side channel and the resulting multipurpose tool is
thinner as a result of its inclusion of two side channels for
housing longer tool members as opposed to the four side channels
for housing longer tool members as illustrated and described above.
In still other embodiments in which the multipurpose tool does not
include any of the longer tool members, neither handle portion
includes a side channel.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set
forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which
these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *